Path to Grad School

The Department of Accountancy guarantees admission in the Master of Accountancy program for University Honors students who are graduating with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting. This program qualifies you to be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in Illinois.

To learn how to expand career options available to you, speak with an Honors advisor or the Department of Accountancy at accy@niu.edu.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has reserved seats in the M.S. program exclusively for University Honors students who are majoring in Chemistry or a related area. Students can now seamlessly transition into the M.S. in Chemistry program upon completion of their baccalaureate degree and successful fulfilment of University Honors Program requirements.

To further your education by diving into research on novel chemistry and interdisciplinary projects, speak with an Honors advisor or contact Victor Ryzhov, Ph.D. at ryzhov@niu.edu.

University Honors students can take advantage of early entry into the accelerated B.A. or B.S./J.D. program with the College of Law. The College of Law will also financially support admitted students in this program by providing a significant scholarship! With this agreement, earning both bachelor's and J.D. degrees (which normally takes seven years) can be accomplished in six years!

To learn how the versatility of a law degree can fit into your future career path, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the College of Law at law-admit@niu.edu.

The Department of Computer Science has provided a pathway for direct admission into the M.S. Computer Science program for University Honors students who are studying for their B.S. in Computer Science. This program not only integrates both theory and practice, but also prepares students with the self-learning skills they will utilize to stay current in the field upon graduation.

To learn more about this in-demand field and position yourself for a career in the world of complex computer-based problem solving, speak with an Honors advisor or the Department of Computer Science at askCSCIgrad@niu.edu.

The Department of Counseling and Higher Education has partnered with the University Honors Program to guarantee admission into the M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Focused on training the next generation of leaders in higher education, this program embeds both theoretical knowledge and applied experiences to help students succeed in their future profession.

To learn more about the career opportunities available for students who graduate with an advanced degree in this field, speak with an Honors advisor or the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at cahe@niu.edu.

The Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment guarantees admission in the Master of Science in Educational Research and Evaluation program for University Honors students.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Research and Evaluation program is designed to prepare individuals whom are broadly trained in both the theory and practice of qualitative and quantitative research, program evaluation, and assessment/measurement. Students learn to design, conduct, and evaluate educational research and evaluation studies; select and implement suitable qualitative and quantitative data analytic procedures; design and evaluate assessments and other instruments; and relate empirical findings to educational and social science policies and practices. Such skills are highly-valued and marketable in today's workplace. The program is offered in face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats.

To learn how to learn more about the Educational Research and Evaluation program and career opportunities, speak with an Honors advisor or the Educational Research and Evaluation advisor, Judy Puskar at 815-753-6085 or etra@niu.edu.

While any undergraduate major is eligible, this degree is a logical next step for students majoring in education, psychology and sociology. The Graduate Record Examination (GRS) application requirement is waived for University Honors students and Graduate Assistantships with tuition remission and stipends are available for well-qualified students. You must explicitly indicate that you are a University Honors student in your statement of purpose in bold font, as part of your application.

As a University Honors student you can take advantage of guaranteed entry into the accelerated B.S./M.S. program in Electrical Engineering. To qualify, students must be a declared major in the department and complete 90 credit hours by the end of your junior year.

To learn more about how to gain key skills, discover and apply new scientific principles, and become a leader in the field, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Electrical Engineering at 815-753-9974.

The College of Business guarantees admission into the Global MBA for University Honors students pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field. In addition, various forms of financial support (e.g., scholarships, assistantships, etc.) are available for select students.

To learn more about how to fast-track your professional career, speak with an Honors advisor or the College of Business MBA office at mba@niu.edu.

The Department of Technology guarantees admission into the M.S. in Industrial Management for University Honors students who graduate with an undergraduate degree in engineering, technology, industrial education, or a related field.

Courses in this program are offered online and are specifically designed for working professionals. The program seeks to educate our graduates with advanced management skills that will allow them to provide leadership and advanced applications skills in industrial settings, as well as prepare them to assume leadership positions. If working in the field of engineering to identify, test, and solve complex problems to better society appeals to you, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Technology at 815-753-1349.

University Honors students can take advantage of guaranteed entry into the accelerated B.S./M.S. program in Industrial and Systems Engineering. To qualify, students must be a declared major in the department and complete 90 credit hours by the end of their junior year.

Additionally, the department of Industrial and Systems Engineering guarantees graduate assistantships, which include a tuition waiver and stipend, to Honors students who take advantage of this program when they enroll as a full-time graduate student at the M.S. level.

To learn more about various research opportunities, funding, internships, and how a master's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering would enhance your marketability/employability, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at 815-753-1282.

The Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education has reserved seats in the M.S.Ed. in Kinesiology and Physical Education and M.S. in Sport Management programs exclusively for University Honors students. This means as an honors student, you're eligible for guaranteed admission into either program.

If working in the fields of fitness, performance, and/or sport is your passion, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at knpe@niu.edu.

The Department of Public Administration guarantees admission into the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) for University Honors students. Built for new college graduates, as well as those already pursuing a career, the MPA program is offered in a variety of locations and formats.

Students can now specialize in areas of public administration, including: strategic public management leadership, local government, fiscal administration, non-profit management, comparative public service, and public service law. Speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Public Administration at publicadm@niu.edu for more information.

University Honors students can take advantage of guaranteed entry into the accelerated B.S./M.S. program in Mechanical Engineering. To qualify, students must be a declared major in the department and complete 90 credit hours by the end of their junior year.

If gaining and applying knowledge to design, analyze, manufacture, and improve mechanical systems are of interest to you, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 815-753-9979.

Applicants who earn a bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Nursing from NIU within two years of their proposed start date for graduate school, and who complete the requirements of the University Honors Program, will have guaranteed admission into the Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program offered by the School of Nursing.

There are a limited number of guaranteed seats. Find out more details by contacting an Honors advisor or the director of Graduate Studies in Nursing at ptaylor@niu.edu.

A select number of seats in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program are exclusively reserved for University Honors students who enter NIU as freshmen. To take advantage of this program, students must graduate with a Nutrition, Dietetics and Wellness undergraduate degree and complete full University Honors requirements within four years.

To learn more about working in community nutrition as a registered dietitian, speak with an Honors advisor or the School of Health Studies at shs@niu.edu.

The Department of Operations Management and Systems Information guarantees admission for University Honors students into both the M.S. in Data Analytics and the M.S. in Management Information Systems programs. Additionally, a limited number of $2,000 scholarships are available for Honors students who enroll in the M.S. in Data Analytics beginning in either the summer or fall of 2019.

To gain analytical and problem-solving skills that can be utilized in a variety of contexts, organizations, and industries, speak with an Honors advisor or the Department of Operations Management and Systems Information at omis@niu.edu.

A select number of seats in the Political Science accelerated B.S. or B.A./M.A. are exclusively reserved for University Honors students. This means as an Honors student you're eligible for guaranteed admission if you meet the entrance requirements.

If combining undergraduate and graduate coursework in topics such as: government, politics, and civic awareness interests you, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Political Science at pols@niu.edu.

Within the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling has guaranteed admission for University Honors students who earn a B.A. or B.S. in a health and/or human services field (e.g., Rehabilitation/Disability Services, Family Social Services, Psychology, Counseling, Special Education). Through a practicum and internship, students in the program graduate with experiential training to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

If becoming certified to apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential and helping individuals lead more independent lives are goals for your future, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions at sihp@niu.edu.

The Department of Sociology offers guaranteed admission into the M.A. in Sociology program for University Honors students who graduate with a B.A. or B.S. in Sociology. Honors students interested in the areas of criminology, social inequity, social psychology, urban sociology, or social theory can now move directly into a graduate program to pursue their passion(s).

To learn more about how graduate coursework in the area of Sociology can advance your future career, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Sociology at askSociology@niu.edu.

The Department of Special and Early Education has partnered with the University Honors Program to allow for guaranteed admission of Honors students into the M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and M.S.Ed. in Special Education.

For Honors students who view working with children and/or those with special needs as a calling, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Special and Early Education at seed@niu.edu to learn how to take your next step as a professional.

Seven seats in the Master of Communicative Disorders with a , specialization in speech-language pathology program are exclusively reserved for incoming freshman University Honors students who declare Communicative Disorders as a major . This program is limited to the first seven qualifying students who accept admission to NIU. To take advantage of this program, students must graduate with a Communicative Disorders undergraduate degree and complete full University Honors requirements within four years.

Qualified students will receive a separate letter from the communicative disorders program informing them that their seat in the master’s program in communicative disorders with a specialization in speech-language pathology has been reserved. To maintain their seat reservation, students must email the AHCD school chair confirming their desire to be in the program within two weeks of receiving the admission letter from the communicative disorders program. 

This program is not available to honors transfer students, students who already have an undergraduate degree, and is not available to NIU undergraduate students who declared a COMD major or who were admitted to the honors program after the first day of fall classes Freshman year.

To learn more about working to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat various forms of communication disorders, speak with an Honors advisor or the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders at ahcd@niu.edu.

The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science guarantees admission into the M.S. in Statistics exclusively for University Honors students. This agreement allows Honors students to seamlessly transition into a graduate program focused on preparing students for careers as statisticians or applied probabilists.

If applying mathematical knowledge to solve real-world problems in a field expected to see considerable growth in the future is of interest to you, speak with an Honors advisor or contact the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at 815-753-6714.